Classes, Workshops, Events

Helping Creators Find Confidence

A Sweet Pause in the Gorge: June 2-3, 2017

What: An overnight retreat designed to restore a woman’s creative energy. Be surrounded by the lush, healing power of the Columbia Gorge while taking care of that most important creator in your life: you.

Engage in journaling, story prompts, yoga, and warm connection. Take in some time to work on your own writing project or enjoying soothing solitude. Enjoy a lakeside walk, drink deep of nature’s inspiration, inhabit your body and celebrate what it is to listen to others and to be heard.

Especially for women who are always giving: teachers, healers, moms, coaches, business owners.

Free Your Voice Workshop

Have you always loved singing but don’t feel confident about your voice?

Or . . .

Have you always loved to write but find yourself blocked?

I’m excited to be offering “Free Your Voice,” a collaborative, integrative writing and singing workshop with Marie Black. Marie is a vocal teacher, singer, and songwriter, whose brilliant guidance has freed and inspired singers throughout the nation.

What: a lavish, intensive, playful, outrageous, spontaneous process giving you a new sense of freedom in both vocal singing and creative writing.

Who: Christi Krug and Marie Black

Where: Holistic Lab Studio, 4110 SE Hawthorne Blvd, Portland

When: Sunday, October 30, 4 pm – 7 pm

Fee is $50 through October 25, $60 after October 25

Break free from premature critical thinking in the creative process, so that you can move ahead with writing, singing, and creating.

The Burn Wild workshop series teaches you to break free from premature critical thinking in the creative process, so that you can move ahead with writing and creating.

This is a time for generating writing, reflecting, and processing together with support, a mega-dose of creativity, and encouragement. We will be writing together – so no need to bring writing. This is not a critique group but a generative creative coaching group. That said, if you do bring a short piece to check in with, we love that.

Wildfire Writing Master Class

Wildfire Master Class is a private class with two options: Wednesday evenings and Thursday mornings in Vancouver, Washington. Do get in touch if you think this is right for you and you want to dig deeper into the critique process with a novel, memoir, or series of stories or essays.

Yoga Class at Clark College

Enter into a unique experience which will foster self-expression and make you a stronger, freer, more authentic human being in all areas of your life. I will lead you in simple, basic yoga postures which are a timeless foundation for health.

You will be guided in a practice of listening to your body as well as your inner self. Cultivate mental flexibility while you awaken physical flexibility, breathing into areas that are stiff, blocked, resistant or intimidated, whether in the mind or the physical being. Enter into a unique experience which will foster self-expression and make you a stronger, freer, more authentic human being in all areas of your life.

Register for the yoga class via Clark College starting August 16th: onlineover the phone: 360-992-2939 or in person at Clark College.

Wildfire Writing at Clark College

This class is like a yoga session for the soul. It’s a process you can engage in repeatedly. Many students have taken this course four, five, or six times, and it’s exciting have seasoned as well as beginning writers exploring together. We experiment with fiction, nonfiction, memoir writing, and a smattering of poetry.

For further adventures in fiction and poetry, Wildfire Writing II immerses you in creativity and helps you connect with “the Dream Kid” while offering fresh, new writing exercises and methods you’ve never tried before. We bring new ideas and perspectives to the table every week. Even I don’t know exactly how the stories and collaborations will play out during our time together–and this adds to the adventure and synergy. You can combine I and II for a discount.

Spring Story Camp for Kids

Saturday, April 9, 9:30 – 2:30, for ages 8 – 11

This beautiful, playful camp is inspired by my youngest writing clients who delight me with their stories and boundless creativity. I’m inviting like-minded young creators into our circle. Together we will craft plots, characters, and settings. We will explore and develop our stories using theatre tools, art illustration, and finally, writing. Students will make beautiful homes for stories, generating lifelong confidence as storytellers, artists, and authors.

National Unpublished Writers Day

Are you less of a writer if unpublished? Absolutely not! And yet writers of all publication levels need support and strategy.

National Unpublished Writers Day is a gathering of writers to discuss strategies for getting their work out into the world. The event was founded by Washington State University Professor John F. Barber, and is now organized by the fabulous Christopher Luna, Clark County Poet Laureate.

Four talks will inspire and educate writers, including my 1 pm presentation, “You’re the Authority.” Novelists Mel Sanders and April Bullard, as well as poet Toni Partington, will be presenting talks at 2, 3, and 4 pm.

You don’t want to miss this opportunity for receiving motivation and support and sharing it with other writers.

Fumbling Forward: Personal Stories of Awkward Grace

Saturday, January 23, 5-6 pm

Waterstone Gallery, 124 NW 9th Avenue, Portland 97209

An evening of storytelling with local writers Sage Cohen, Susan Domagalski Fleming, Gypsy Martin, Carisa Miller, and myself, highlighting the fumbling, bumbling, panic-induced sweating, excruciatingly awkward way we trip over ourselves on our way to making sense of life.

Artist, Erin Leichty, has invited us to bring our personal embarrassments and insights to her latest show at Waterstone Gallery, “Confluence: Where Our Stories Run Together.”

Stories in the Body

Sunday, November 15, 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.

Motion Massage Studio, 1829 Ne Alberta Street, Portland

This is a unique, beautiful integration of writing and creative movement, for every level of writer and every kind of dancer, even those who have only written in private or danced in the closet.

You’ll be astounded by the creativity that emerges from your own physical being in Stories in the Body.

Jenna Abernathy, Journey Dance Leader, establishes a safe and freeing space for you to explore. I love this opportunity to co-teach with Jenna. I focus on nurturing and expanding your writing through deep listening to body and spirit.

Refreshments provided. Bring a notebook and something to write with.

Wildfire Writing Saturday Workshop

I’m excited about this one-day studio workshop visiting the 5 stages of the writing process. Come for an intensive blast of inspiration, support, idea generation, creating, and sharing. It’s a rare chance to get to move through the process together in a single day. Seats are filling fast.

Jenna Abernathy, Journey Dance Leader, establishes a safe and freeing space for you to explore. I love this opportunity to co-teach with Jenna. I focus on nurturing and expanding your writing through deep listening to body and spirit.

Refreshments provided. Bring a notebook and something to write with.

Wildfire Writing Master Class

Wildfire Master Class is a private class with two options: Wednesday evenings and Thursday mornings in Vancouver, Washington. Do get in touch if you think this is right for you and you want to dig deeper into the critique process with a novel, memoir, or series of stories or essays.

Burn Wild

Free your creative voice. Find confidence.

What it is: a lavish, intensive, playful, outrageous, relaxed and focused process which burns down to the ground all the forces which have blocked your writing and creating.

The Burn Wild workshop series teaches you to break free from premature critical thinking in the creative process, so that you can move ahead with writing and creating.

We’ve been laying a foundation for you to know yourself creatively. You’ll overcome those nagging thoughts that have frozen your abilities in the past. You’ll discover tools of language, art, and creative thinking that will unleash your most creative self and your wildest ideas. What you thought impossible for you will become possible.

Burn Wild Authenticity II

Wildfire Wednesday Reading Series – free

Wednesday, September 30, 6:30 – 7:50 pm

Theme: “Changing the Subject”

Cascade Park Community Library: 600 NE 136th Ave, Vancouver, WA 98684

Open Mic for writers to share work in a supportive, vibrant community. Bring refreshments, get ready for a heartwarming, funny, connecting evening. Follow the theme or bring other work to read (up to 4 pages double-spaced.) Join us!

Rouse Portland Group Facilitation

Rouse Portland is a group of soulful, inspirational creatives that I’ve brought together with the goal of supporting our inner artists. Pearl Waldorf is leading our September gathering on Wednesday, Sept 10: “Creative Flow.”

Wildfire Writing at Clark College

This class is like a yoga session for the soul. It’s a process you can engage in repeatedly. Many students have taken this course four, five, or six times, and it is a delight to have seasoned as well as beginning writers exploring together. We experiment with fiction, nonfiction, memoir writing, and a smattering of poetry.

For further adventures in fiction and poetry, there is Wildfire Writing II. You can combine I and II for a discount. Each class immerses you in creativity and helps you connect with “the Dream Kid” while offering fresh, new writing exercises and methods you’ve never tried before. We bring new ideas and perspectives to the table every week. Even I don’t know exactly how the stories and collaborations will play out during our time together–and this adds to the adventure and synergy. You can check out the class and watch the video. Take a look at Wildfire Writing at Clark College.

Listen to Your Mother

Join me and the rest of the cast of “Listen to Your Mother” for an evening of artful live readings by local writers. Our show validates and celebrates mothering and motherhood, while moving you to laughter and tears. I can’t wait for us to share our carefully crafted stories with you.

Willamette Writers Conference: Slashing Procrastination

Coaching beginning and intermediate writers is what I dedicate myself to doing two to three days a week, via Skype and phone and live meetings. My clients hail from many parts of the world. I offer first-time author support, help overcoming writer’s block, guidance in writing difficult memories, expertise in developing novels, and many other things. I’d love to hear about what you’re working on or hoping to start. My mission is to help you flourish creatively.

What people are saying . . .

Christi Krug’s class was one of the best things I’ve ever done for myself. She allowed me the freedom to just move my hand across the page and find my voice.

Cheryl

I want to thank for your positiveness each day and for encouraging writers to stick with the task of telling their stories. —Desiree

Desiree

Your Wildfire Writing class was a wonderful introduction into the world of writing for me. Thank you. Your teaching style and the atmosphere of acceptance free of judgment and condemnation is wonderful. I delighted in arriving each Thursday evening to write and to listen as authors shared their pieces. I miss being in your class and hope to rejoin you in the fall. Your class is a gift to be shared with all who seek to challenge the author within.

Val S.

I now know that I can write, that I must write. The idea that I have nothing to write about, or that I can’t write, is patently false. What I need to write is my shame, fear, and anger.

Becky

Who knew what lay dormant inside? Thank you for the awakening.

Robin

I am especially touched by your sharing your personal stories which helps all of us to feel more confident about accessing and sharing our own personal remembrances. It seems authenticity often requires taking that risk–at least for me. I loved hearing your story last night about the little girl who fell in love with the people in her young life who validated her. It says so much. Thank you.

Bonnie H.

I will take your class again because of your wonderful talent. I believe in my own talent now, thanks to you.

Jewel

Thank you again for your positive and uplifting pushes to engage me with my writing. The last few weeks have been very healing for me. Having the freedom to just write and spill out my heart has been wonderful. I was having a hard time enjoying writing and now, I long for the times I can soak myself in it. I attached a few prompts to share with you. Thank you for reading and for your encouragement!

Beth

This has made me believe in myself. I see the greatness in all of us – risk takers.

Carlene

Christi Krug’s classes changed my life. She helped me return to my creative path, the one that I allowed to be blocked by all the things I was taught I had to do. You know all those grown up and responsible things. She gave me permission to play, experiment, and create.

Val W.

“Christi Krug’s writing classes changed my life.” There’s no other way to put it than this because it’s true for me as well!

Edee

Christi, I loved your book. It has had its first read, but now I will start again with a pen. There are so many good ideas to re-start that fire. My daughter encourages people to jump start their creative side, so I am going to give her a copy for her office. I have also had an inquiry from a friend in D.C. My poet friend loved her copy. I have such respect for people who have talent but even more for those who inspire others to seek their own. You have given a gift which all of us can re-open whenever we need a fresh spark.

Arvy

You get to dream, be inspired, be young, be old, be wild! You get to remember how to play again! Thank you!

Rolf

September 7, 2013, marked my one-year anniversary for publishing my writing. I think the biggest thing I learned in your classes was that I didn’t have to be profound, or even serious, in my writing—that it could and should be fun. Once you freed me to be silly, I’m afraid there was no stopping me. The other very important thing was to just do it (where the speed writing came in very handy). I just finished my fifth book in the Imogene Museum cozy mystery series, and for the past six months writing has been supporting me. I was laid off three years ago in October, but now I can say with confidence that I am a writer, and it’s a job I will never want to retire from.

Jerusha Jones, author of the Imogene Museum mystery series

Thank you Christi for making me (and everyone) always feel welcome. No wonder there was such a crowd!

Diane

I can’t believe what you have done for me. I’m so excited, at times I feel I’m about to jump out of my skin.

I’m pretty critical of myself. But I’m honoring myself by allowing myself to learn the craft that calls to me. And I get to enjoy the freedom of childhood, the wonder, the joy – all of it, fully and completely.

Melody

I can’t tell you how much this class has meant to me! I’m getting ideas now, all day long.

Val W.

You have opened up a whole new world for me.

Deborah

I’ve learned that I have to tell my husband, “This is now my time for writing.”

Harriet

The class, taught by Wildfire Writing’s founder, Christi Krug, was so much fun that all of the members of our group attended it twice (that’s when the group formed, but we weren’t ChaCheeJam yet,) and a couple of us attended thrice.

ChaCheeJam Writing Community (www.readchacheemcham.com)

Christi opened me to writing from the first class and I haven’t been able to stop since. Her undying enthusiasm for my message and her week after week encouragement to “unpack” each of my painful stories has kept me going. “Your writing is meant to be shared,” she kept saying. And then she became my editor.